Jason Toon

It's easy to see PediSedate as a disturbing symbol of everything wrong with our culture today blah blah blah. The idea does sound like something out of Aldous Huxley by way of Attack of the Show: a headset that delivers sedatives to kids while said kids are engaged in playing hand-held video games. And the device itself looks a little unsettling. But as a parent who has seen how freaked out my daughter got when she had to be sedated for oral surgery, I think it's actually a great idea. One thing, though: their marketing material only talks about how it's compatible with the Game Boy. The manufacturers should name-drop the Nintendo DS if they really want to reach the kids of today. Or at least the kids in my house.

What's your impression of PediSedate: sign of the digital apocalypse or innovative way to make medical procedures a little easier on kids? And do you wish they came in adult sizes?

Sunwolf

My first reaction was "You've got to be *expletive*ing kidding me?!" when I thought there was a Woot to buy this rig. But, then I realized it was justa discussion about it, and I climbed down off the ledge...

I agree with the previous poster; used for a medical purpose to ease a child into a relaxed state prior to a major surgeory or large dental procedure, I think it's a great idea.
When these are for sale to the general public though, that's when the 'pockie-clypse is upon us

shakerace

I'm so glad that this device "allows the procedure to be performed by less skilled personnel!"

I'm assuming that the only thing being plugged into the game boy are the headphones. So what's with the Game Boy Color? Perhaps they spent all their money on the rig and only had the budget for an 11 year old handheld :P

Scratch that... this thing got press back in '02. Hooray current events!

Fun Fact: Interestingly enough, the Game Boy Color was released almost exactly 11 years ago on Nov 19, 1998 in North America

dave bug

I've taken to listening to songs on my iPhone with earbuds during dental visits. It's pretty pleasant, though you do have to listen for "spit" requests.

If they've given up on the "this looks terrifying" approach (which they clearly have), they should go a step further and use the MyVu monitor-glasses so you're not having to hold this thing up in front of your face. Seems like that won't go well with the whole 'falling asleep' part.

spiffitz

wnydrift

I think this is great. Having a background as a terrified of needles and doctors kid bring it on. I also have worked in a variety of Drs & Dental offices. Many adults bring in CD Players now MP3 players to be distracted by music. Also Dentist have put in TV to relax patients. This is a better solution that having to give nitrous(ok, maybe not as much fun)to a child. Think of any outpatient procedure you might have, what do you want to concentrate on? For many distraction is good. Of course Hypnosis is an option, but do you really want to wake up as a chicken?

glindagw

A friend was just telling me today that if her daughter (10 yrs) gets another cavity she is going to have the dentist use Novocaine rather than having her sedated. Tooth brushing is a major battle with her daughter. The Mom feels like her daughter is detached from what is happening to her teeth/in the dentists office because she just goes in...gets sedated...and wakes up with it all done.

I would think that it would be preferable to avoid sedating your child whenever possible (doesn't it kill brain cells).

With that said, I think that the video game connection is great. The calmer that the child is, the safer that they will be. It's just a bit unnerving to have such a clear reminder of how video games are designed to capture and hold our kids attention.

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